All stories about the Haarmännchen stem from various oral traditions. They do not claim to recount actual events, realistic situations, or historical contexts. The following is told about the origin of this ghostly figure:
“Once upon a time, there was an innkeeper in Drewer. When his guests had drunk too much in the tavern, he would often lure them late at night into his basement, which he had set up as a ‘gambling den.’ There, he cheated them at forbidden card and dice games, fleecing them of their last pennies.
Soon, however, these secret schemes became known. A pastor from the neighboring village tried to put a stop to these reprehensible activities and warned the unrepentant innkeeper that, after his death, he would find no peace with God and would be condemned to wander restlessly around the Haarstrang for all eternity. In the form of the Haarstrang Spirit, the innkeeper was then forced, after his death, to atone for his misdeeds and to remind the people of the Haarstrang of the consequences of his once-sinful life through eerie illusions and terrifying or mysterious encounters, severe harassment, or crude pranks.”
For example, one farmer reported:
“…All of a sudden, the horses became restless and refused to move forward. Standing right in front of them on the path was the Haarmännchen. It had a long black beard and wore a little cloak with a hood. Its eyes glowed like burning coals. With a mighty leap, it suddenly jumped between the horses, ran along the drawbar, and sat down on the driver’s seat next to the frightened cart driver. He could barely control the animals, which had gone wild…”
For more information and to book guided tours featuring the Haarmännchen, call: 0151 61470 689 or email: das-haarmaennchen@t-online.de